Caribbean Surname Index

MESSAGES FROM THE ADMINISTRATORClick here for mandatory Terms Of Use and (Manual) Registration. - PLEASE NOTE: TERMS OF USE ARE ENFORCED DAILY.
• ANTI-PROCRASTINATION: A new registration WILL be deleted if no Post is made within 6 days of being registered.
• If you register and for any reason cannot log in, send the Admin a message by using this CONTACT FORM.
• You can Copy the same Post from Surname to Country to ROLL CALL to Specialty. More Posts = more exposure.

I have recently started to trace the roots of the Senior family (my mum's side) in St Elizabeth, Jamaica and would be interested in any information anyone could provide who know the family or who are conducting similar searches on families in the area.

My grandfather is a twin that was born in Rose Hall, St Elizabeth, Jamaica in 1923.

Per my information, the Seniors were already settled in Jamaica by 1815; they owned a large plantation, were well-to-do for their time and place, and of the Jewish faith. There is a marriage connection with the Ormsby family (through Violet Ormsby).

I am seeking details of my father's family, the Smith/Senior family land owners in St Elizabeth, Jamaica. Any information would be very welcome as I am trying to build a family tree. I have little information but:

SENIOR, Jamaica, Bigwoods, Pedro Plains, St. Elizabeth

My father was born Mervin Smith in 1936. But was raised Mervin Senior (his great grandmother's surname). In 1952, my father reverted back to his paternal family name of Smith i.e. Mervin Smith.

My Grandfather's name was Grafton Senior (born early 1900s). He married Adelaide Berlin who was also born in the early 1900s.

My great grandfather Lewis Smith (born around the late 1880s)adoped his mother's surname 'Senior' due to difficult relations with his father and became known as Lewis Senior. He began the use of the name Senior within the family line. Lewis was marriedto Kate (maiden name unknown). My father was raised by his grandparents Lewis and Kate Smith.

My great great grandmother's maiden name was Senior, it was her surname that was adopted. I do not have any other details about Great Great Grandmother Senior, but possibly born around the 1850s or later.

'Senior' family information here seems to offer no common ground with your search. Some indication of the time frames for your forebears' names might help others with your effort, if you have that info (e.g., 1800s or mid-1900s, the more precise the dates the better). Also, you might leave no doubt whether "aka Senior" is suggesting that "Smith" is a foster name, or some other explanation is at work here.

Thanks for your response. Things are a bit clearer for me now. The use of the name Senior in my post, comes from my Great Great Grandmother and was the surname adopted by my Great Grandfather. Have therefore edited my post, am new to all of this so welcomed and appreciated your suggestions. Lyla

Hi Jason, what a surprise, I met uncle Archie once if it is the same Archie but have since lost contact.

Thank you very much for the information. I would really appreciate contact with him. If this is the same Archie he will recognise my name, Lyla. When my father lived in England his brother Archie also lived in England in a place called Birmingham, you can check this out. It would be great to reconnect with him and really helpful for me to fill in gaps in the family tree. Your name sounds familiar too! Thank you again. Lyla

I think its the same Archie, i know he lived in England and is married to a seamstress name Elen.The Bigwoods community is flooded from the heavy rain over the past 2 days so his home is cut off from mine right now. I'll contact him as soon as possible using this string as reference.

That's fantastic Jason Sorry to hear about the floods in Jamaica, I know it does rain a lot in St. Elizabeth. I look forward to hearing from Uncle Archie send him a big hello from me. So glad you read my post! How fortunate is that... Take care.

I see Mr. Archie's daughter-in- law has joined and provided an option to contact the family. If you are unable to make contact via that means another option is to join a group I created on Facebook for our little community of Bigwoods - ''Bigwoods, St Elizabeth, Jamaica"...and I'll pass on Mr. Archie's telephone number there.

I am researching the Dunwell Family from Topsham, Manchester. Their daughter married Dennis Dwyer Senior, a planter. Their children were born in Mile Gully, Manchester. Dennis was born around 1840? Any information on this family is appreciated.

My father Theodore Lascelle Senior was born April 23, 1923 somewhere around Kingston. I am not sure what parish.He had two half brothers George Smith and Austin (Last Name Unknown) and he had a sister who died when he was very young. He was raised by Louise Drummond and George Headly.